Thrown Down
MS Set during S2. Deep down they both knew what they wanted but they were too scared to admit it. Now they're playing the game and slowly learning how to break down barriers.
Chapter One: He Fell For Her
Disclaimer: My Muse, my imagination and my dreams are all mine (but can be rented for a high fee). I'm sure if I owned the cast and characters we would have an enormous amount of fun (but I don't. I'm just borrowing them).
'Thrown Down' – Fleetwood Mac
A/N:- I haven't written anything quite like this before so it's interesting to see how it works. The plan is to make this span most of the season with my tweaking of several points. I've just rewatched the whole 24 episodes so the changes are intentional rather than my lack of observation (at least that's what I'll tell you anyway.)
Martin could feel her.
At first he thought he was just imagining it and it was the remains of a dream that hadn't quite floated away but then he felt her hair tickle his face and his eyes shot open and he knew he wasn't dreaming.
The harsh morning light came blaring through the curtains which hadn't been closed the night before and combined with the throbbing pain in his head, it was awhile before he could focus on the LED display on the bedside clock. It was only 6am so he could let his bedroom companion sleep awhile longer before they needed to start thinking about work. He thought about getting up and having a shower but he could feel her leg resting on top of his and her head was in the crook of his arm and he didn't want to wake her.
He remembered last night, not exactly clearly, but he still remembered most of it and that meant he couldn't even put down the fact that they slept together to blind drunkenness. He could remember the very moment that he should have said 'No' and walked away. He knew that she was drunk, upset, in pain and looking for some comfort for one night and he also knew that one night wasn't what he wanted, so why the hell hadn't he walked away?
Martin thought he felt her stir but she only shifted a bit and carried on sleeping. She looked so peaceful and relaxed he found himself thinking that the awkwardness between them that would follow would almost be worth the one night of good sleep that she got. He reached out and gently brushed some of the hair out of her face. Half an hour from now she would be looking at him awkwardly, perhaps apologetically, as she gently pushed him back out of her life, holding him at arm's length where he belonged and all the stuff that they had said and done last night would be forgotten. Then there would be the uncomfortable transitional stage where they go back from being something slightly more than co-workers back to work colleagues and nothing more. Was last night worth all of that?
He didn't know it but she felt his fingers brush her face and she could smell his cologne strong enough to have a vague idea of what happened last night. But whether it was because she didn't want to face him or whether it was because she was just so comfortable lying in his arms, she refused to obtain full consciousness and acknowledge the awkward position she had put them both in.
She had honestly never imagined he would be that good. She had always known he was kind and caring but last night he had really made her feel better. She was down and agitated when she had gone back to the office looking for something to distract her but as soon as they had hit the bar, she had started to unwind – and that was even before the tipsiness had ensued. Asking him up to her apartment was a great moment of weakness on her part. She was drunk and he was there and she had just given into that attraction like there was nothing she could do to stop it.
Martin glanced at the clock and watched as the screen changed from 29 to 30. Then he gently brought his head down near hers and shook her gently, bracing himself for weeks of torment. "Sam, Sam it's time to get up."
Her eyes fluttered open and stared straight up into his but she didn't immediately jump out of bed and hastily retreat to the shower - she just lay there, looking up at him.
This was definitely not how he expected her to react waking up after a drunken one night with a co-worker. It was like she had expected – maybe even wanted – him to be there.
"It's time to get up." Martin said again, keeping his eyes locked with hers.
Samantha turned and hid her head under a pillow, pulling the covers over their heads in a childlike fashion. "The alarm hasn't gone off yet." She moaned.
She was acting like they had woken up next to each other naked for months and that this was nothing unusual. It wasn't a bad thing … just surprising. Martin chuckled and ran a finger lightly down her back, watching her shudder involuntary. "We didn't exactly get round to setting the alarm last night." He whispered in her ear.
Samantha was glad she had her back to him as she wouldn't have been able to hide the hint of a smile on her face. "You can go and have a shower and I'll make some coffee."
"Oh no, I've tasted the stuff you make and I need something far stronger this morning." Martin said, rubbing his head. "You go have a shower and I'll make the coffee."
"You ordering me around in my own apartment Fitzgerald?" She said, rolling over to look at him.
"Well, I think it's quite fair considering you clearly took advantage of me last night." Martin smirked.
Samantha opened her mouth in mock shock. "I did no such thing!"
"I recall you mentioning needing a drink. You never said anything about wanting to roll around under the sheets afterwards." Martin carried on teasing her. "If I knew what dangerous grounds I was getting myself in for then-"
"Then what?" Samantha questioned, the smile disappearing from her face. She really wanted to know what he thought about this behind all the flirting.
He looked at her seriously, dropping the playfulness from his tone. "Then I would probably have done it anyway." He said finally.
The corners of Samantha's mouth twitched. "I'll go and take a shower." She said quietly, wrapping herself in a sheet and climbing out of bed.
Martin lay stretched out, his head on the pillow, trying to get the thudding in his head to stop. He hadn't experienced a lot of them but he had certainly never had a morning after quite like that.
When Samantha emerged from the bathroom, she was wearing a fresh suit and blouse and had a towel round her shoulders to stop her wet hair dripping everywhere. Martin handed her a cup silently and she smiled her thanks before taking a sip.
"So you going to tell me the secret behind your coffee making?" She said, inhaling the powerful aroma and taking a seat at the breakfast table, noticing that Martin had taken in the newspapers and had made toast just like her belonged there.
"Sorry it's a trade secret." Martin smiled, taking the seat opposite her before deciding to say what was running through his mind. "I have to say Sam, I'm surprised you're really calm about what happened last night."
Samantha gave a nervous laugh and ran a hand through her wet hair. "I'm not. I'm not calm." She clarified. "Inside I'm freaking out really badly. I was so distracted I had to wash my hair twice because I wasn't sure whether I'd already done it and whilst I may be giving you the impression that I'm really calm about this … I'm really not."
Martin smiled at her rambling. "Okay."
"I, erm, this really isn't any excuse," She started, pinching the bridge of her nose. "But I was upset at getting sent home, I was annoyed that my leg was still hurting and I was doubting my judgement in the shooting and you were there being a really good friend and letting me ramble, pretty much like I'm doing now, and I ended up getting hopelessly drunk and when I get drunk I get all touchy feely especially when I'm around an attractive guy I like and it was really stupid and the fact I messed up our friendship and work relationship doesn't really deserve an excuse but if it's any consolation my rather crap life has just got worse by having a really bad headache."
Martin watched her wrap and then unwrap her hands round her mug nervously. "We."
Samantha looked at him, confused.
"You said 'I' ended up getting hopelessly drunk but clearly you meant 'We' because I can't account for a lot of my actions yesterday and I don't even have an excuse for getting so drunk - except for maybe wanting to keep you company. I should have gone home last night. You're having a hard time and you didn't need to wake up to this."
"Maybe I did and that was the problem." Samantha said quietly. "I'm sorry."
Martin waved away her apology.
"So we're okay?" Samantha checked.
"Of course." Martin smiled and then his smile grew larger. "So you think I'm attractive?" he teased.
Samantha looked a bit caught off-guard at the comment before she realised he was playing with her. "Of course. Deputy Director's son, think of all that money ………"
Martin put on his best hurt face. "And I definitely remember telling you in all honesty last night that I thought you were beautiful, smart and sexy."
Samantha tried not to let his words cause her as much pleasure as they did but it was hard when he was giving her that smile. "I don't remember that." She said cocking her head to one side.
"I think it was just before you kissed me."
"Now that explains things. Don't you know Martin, you never say those kind of things to an insecure emotional girl who has had too much to drink unless it's your explicit intention to get her to sleep with you." Samantha said shaking her finger at him with a laugh. "So it's actually YOUR fault you're sitting here eating my bread first thing in the morning and I have every right to order YOU to go and have a shower."
Martin sat there grinning at her causing Samantha to burst out laughing.
"I'm serious." She insisted. "Hurry up or we're going to be late." She laughed, throwing her wet towel at him as he retreated into the bathroom.
A/N:- If only this entire story could be pure fluff. But it's not. There's Angst because without Angst, Fluff isn't fluffy. Anyway, drop me a review. I vaguely know where I'm going with this but if there's a specific moment in Season 2 you really want me to deal with/do something with then let me know and I'll look into it.
